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What does UB stand for in Medical Billing-QuelinBilling
December 3, 2024
The abbreviation UB in medical billing stands for Uniform Billing. As implied by its name, Uniform Billing aims to standardize and simplify the process of medical billing for reimbursement purposes. The UB is a critical factor in submitting claims to insurance companies and securing compensation for doctors’ services.
The UB-04 form is a standard medical billing form used by healthcare facilities to submit claims to insurance companies
In 2007, the UB-92 form was replaced by the UB-04 (CMS 1450) form. The aim of the CMS was to simplify billing claims by creating a standardized form. As a result, new fields were incorporated into the UB-04 to ensure all necessary information is included for insurance billing.
The standard printing of the UB-04 utilizes red ink on white paper, but many hospitals have now opted for the electronic version for ease and efficiency.
The structure of the UB-04 is divided into sections for specific types of information, including patient identification, provider identification, and date of service.
The UB-04 form contains 81 fields, also known as Form Locators (FL), each focusing on a specific set of information. For instance, FL 1 requests the billing provider’s name, address, contact information, and country code. FL 3 requires the patient control number and medical record number for your facility. And FL 6 asks for the statement dates in MMDDYY format. Similarly, the remaining fields also gather details related to billing claims. Finally, at FL 81, you will provide your taxonomy code and qualifier.
The American Hospital Association and the National Uniform Billing Committee are jointly responsible for creating and updating the Official UB-04 Electronic Data Set and releasing the UB-04 Manual.
Proven methods to prevent rejections (Avoid Denials)
The extensive array of form locators on the UB-04 form can be overwhelming and completing the lengthy document requires significant focus and accurate details. Submitting an incorrectly filled form may lead to denials, so it is important for billers to carefully review the UB-04 form and verify all information before submission. To assist in avoiding any denials, here are some helpful tips.
- Verification: Prior to completing the form, be certain to verify all necessary information with the insurance payer.
- Fill in Correct Details: Ensure accurate completion of the UB-04 form when submitting the paper version. Please note that there is no opportunity to review and correct errors. Consider using the electronic UB-04 to minimize potential mistakes.
- Insurance Information: Please ensure that the name on the insurance card is identical to the patient’s name when providing insurance information.
- Correct Codes: It is crucial to accurately state the appropriate CPT/HCPCS codes with modifiers for different procedures. Any error in these codes could lead to a delay in reimbursement due to a “false alarm for discrepancy.
- Fill the National Provider Identifier (NPI): Enter your National Provider Identifier (NPI) in the designated form locators—56, 76, 77, 78, and 79 as required.
- Review the Form: Please ensure you thoroughly review the form and confirm all the information is accurate before submitting it.
- Switch to Electronic UB-04: By utilizing the Electronic UB-04 form, you can ensure error-free and efficient submission of bill claims. Rest assured, this method guarantees maximum reimbursement and a low denial rate.
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